The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-02-12

creek q large tract Of land and erected upon 1t
the first frame house in the village. Later he
built saw-mil, the first ever erected in the
valley OF the Scioto, and in u short time his
laborcrs, many OF whom were former slaves,
were settled in comfortable houses.
Mr.. Worthington developed an uncommon
amount Of energy for man born to his com.
Portable condition In life and he soon became
veTJ popular In the new settlement. Ofces Of
responsibility were offered to him, and he be-
came an assistant surveyor Of public lands, n
member OF the Constitutional Convention and o
Senator Of the United States. In the first Ter
ritorial Legislature he represented Ross Coun-
ty. Mr.. Worthington opposed the scheme to
make two States out OF Ohio, and he was so
strong In his opposition that Congress was in
duced to set aside the view of the majority Of
the Territorial Legislature and the judgement
OF Governor St. Clair, and an enabling act was
passed April 30, 1901, by which Ohio, with its
present boundaries, became State.
Thomas Worthington Is responsible in q large
degree for the slight power that is vested in the
Chief Executive of Ohio. He afterwards ex-
pressed regret chat the Governor was so re-
stricted, but there was u feeling ut the time the
constitution was adopted that Governor St.
Clair had too much power, and 1t was deter
mined to curtail the authority OF his successors.
Thomas WorthingtOn was in the U. s. Senate
two terms OF five years each, and introduced
the bill providing for the survey of the National
vision and sale Of public lands In quarter SEQ
tions instead OF tracts two miles sQuare-thus
stimulating immigration.
During the interval between his terms of SER
vice In the U. S. Senate, Governor Worthington
was engaged in the negotiation Of treaties with
the Indians. and he reached high place in the
esteem Of Tecumseh and other lenders.
In 1914 Thomas Worthington was elected Gov
ernor, and in 1915 he was reelected. When
Governor WOrthington was first made Chief
Executive OF Ohio, he was U. s. Senator.
While Governor Of Ohio Thomas Worthington
did q great deal to advance the educational In
terests OF the State and to urge the establish.
ment Of colleges and public schools. The State
library owes its inception to him, and the first
books for its use were purchased by him out Of
the Governors contingent fund. Governor
Worthington recommended the construction
of canals, and in 1922, rs q member of the
Legislature, he was appointed on the first com
mittee that reported in favor Of the construc-
tion OF State waterways, and it was while in
New York City, where he had gone to attend o
meeting of this committee that he died, June
20, 1897. He was designated by the National In
felligencer. ''the father of the American system
Of public improvements"
Chief Justice Chase, in his historical sketch
that prefaces the Ohio Statutes, describes
Thomas Worthington US u gentleman of distin-
guished ability and great influence.
In 1905 Governor WOrthingtOn erected what
was then the handsomest and most elegant resi-
dence in the West He called his home Adena,
and 1t Is situated on o commanding elevation
overlooking the pleasant valley and corn fields
Of the Scioto.
A view Of Adena may be had from the cars by
one approaching Chillicothe from the west.
Tho house is OF stone, and the metal used in
its construction and ornamentation was brought
from Philadelphia. The mansion is occupied by
the defendants Of Governor Worthington,
grandson OF whom has recently been appointed
to place in the Patent ONCE at Washington.
The name Adena signifies paradise" and the
place was looked upon Us sort Of Eden in the
days OF the original owner.